System and method for high precision clock recovery over packet networks

ABSTRACT

An innovative system and method for achieving high precision clock recovery, i.e. reconstruction of the clock signal having the same frequency, over a packet switched network. The proposed method utilizes a minimum network delay approach, which overcomes the problems caused by delay variation of the network and filters out network jitter, such as noise jitter and other “singular” anomalies causing latency deviations. Minimum network delay is defined herein as the time delay in which a packet remains in the network under assumption that all transmission queues through which the packet passes are empty.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a system and method for highprecision clock recovery, i.e. reconstruction of the clock signal havingthe same frequency, over a packet switched network.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Clock recovery is defined to be the reconstruction of timing informationfrom digital data over packet switched networks. A packet switchednetwork comprises various interfaces and layer protocols, whereas clocksynchronization is usually maintained between physical connectedinterfaces and not maintained end-to-end. Hence, an accurate clockmechanism must be provided for services that require end-to-end clocksynchronization (e.g. CES, Voice, Video, etc.) as well as for anend-to-end transmission of accurate timing information (e.g. cellular G3applications).

The clock recovery mechanism over packet switched networks involves twobasic procedures—generation of packets at the local site andreconstruction of the clock signal at the remote side. The firstprocedure generates packets carrying relevant information of the sourceclock (at the local side). These packets are transmitted to the remoteside over the packet switched network. At the second procedure,reconstruction of the clock signal is obtained from the receivedinformation at the remote side.

A major problem in trying to synchronize a clock over a non-synchronizednetwork while achieving a high precision clock accuracy is to compensatefor delay variation or, in other words, to filter out network jitteraffecting arriving packets. The delay in the network is a superpositionof passive and active network factors. Passive network factors, such asfiber and cable, are usually constant physical factors, wherein theirvariation is very small and therefore can be neglected. However, activenetwork factors, such as switches and routers, produce delay withsignificant variation that must be filtered out.

Several approaches known in the art are provided for clock recovery,trying to overcome the problem caused by delay variation.

IEEE 1588 standard refers to a precision clock synchronization protocolfor networked measurement and control systems. This standard defines aprotocol enabling precise synchronization of clocks in measurement andcontrol systems implemented with technologies such as networkcommunication, local computing and distributed objects. The protocolenables heterogeneous systems that include clocks of various inherentprecision, resolution and stability to synchronize. The protocol furthersupports system-wide synchronization accuracy in the sub-microsecondrange with minimal network and local clock computing resources.

The IEEE 1588 standard was developed for test equipment that is locatedon the same LAN. Therefore, packets are transmitted within the samenetwork equipment, while assuming that a one-way direction of a specificpacket equals exactly half the round trip delay.

This protocol enables transmission of the time stamp from the masterunit to the slave unit. The slave unit takes an individual timestampwhen receiving the packet and immediately re-transmits the packet backto the master unit. The master unit measures the round trip delay, thusassuming that each direction equals half the round trip delay. Based onthis value, the master unit then instructs the slave unit on how tosynchronize its clock.

However, it is not necessarily correct to assume that the round tripdelay is comprised of two equal timed delays, wherein the time delayfrom a local site to a remote site equals the time delay from the remotesite to the local site. For example, in networks that are asymmetricalin their nature, e.g. HFC or point-to-multipoint Ethernet radionetworks, the time delay from the central site to a remote site does notequal the time delay from a remote site to the central site. Thisassumption becomes even more questionable when the network utilizationreaches its capacity level.

The traditional approach to filter out network jitter calculates theaverage delay using statistical estimation. However, the main drawbackof this approach is that the statistical estimation depends on activenetwork utilization factors, consequentially presenting unstable averagedelay calculations.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,363,073 discloses a circuit and method for synchronizinga service clock at a destination node with a service clock at a sourcenode for circuit emulation service over a packet network. The methodincludes receiving data packets from a source node of the destinationnode. At the destination node, the method removes from the data packetsresidual time-stamp (RTS) values that were created at the source nodebased on information received from the service clock at the source node.RTS values are stored in memory at the destination node. The methoddetermines a majority count and a minority count of RTS values over aperiod of time from the RTS values stored in memory. The method furtheruses the majority and minority counts to set the frequency of a serviceclock at the destination node for use in receiving data packets.

Yet another method for overcoming delay variation provides an adaptiveclock, in which the receiver buffers incoming traffic and compares thelevel of the buffer with a local clock. The level of the buffer is usedto control the frequency of the clock, so that the clock controlling thedestination node buffer must operate at a frequency precisely matched tothat of the service signal input at the source node in order to avoidbuffer overflow or underflow and resulting loss of data. However, thismethod suffers from significant limitations revealing inaccurateresults, and is therefore less efficient.

The prior art using such a method for clock recovery in a packet networkinclude U.S. Pat. No. 6,721,328 to Nichols et al. and U.S. Pat. No.6,400,683 to Jay. This method is further disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.6,363,073 to Nichols.

The first Nichols patent receives data packets at a destination node.The data packets are then stored in a buffer. The data packets are readout of the buffer by using a locally generated clock. The fill level ofthe buffer is monitored over a first period of time. A relative maximumfill for the buffer is identified during the first period of time.Further, the relative maximum fill level is used to control thefrequency of the locally generated clock so as to control the rate atwhich data is read out of the buffer.

The Jay patent discloses a data communication network, in which a systemclock rate can be inferred at a receiver by measuring the data rateduring successive periods. This information is used to adjust or adapt areceiver output clock to the inferred system clock. To adapt a receiverbuffer output clock frequency to the buffer input clock frequency, thelevel of the buffer is periodically monitored. If the fill level isgreater than an upper threshold, the output clock frequency isincremented. If the fill level is less than a lower threshold, theoutput clock frequency is decremented. A count is maintained of thenumber of successive adjustment operations performed while the filllevel overflows the range bounded by the thresholds. When the fill levelreturns to the bounded range, a number of reverse frequency adjustmentsare performed, thereby reducing oscillations.

Since a high precision clock recovery over a packet switched network iscrucial for applications that require high accuracy clock at remotelocations, it would be desirable to provide a system and methodobtaining an accurate reconstruction of the clock having the samefrequency in packet networks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention toovercome the disadvantages of prior art techniques used for clockrecovery over a packet switched network.

The present invention discloses an improved and efficient system andmethod for high precision clock recovery, i.e. reconstruction of theclock having the same frequency, over a packet switched network.

The proposed method, according to the preferred embodiment, is providedfor achieving high precision clock recovery by utilizing a minimumnetwork delay approach, which overcomes the problems caused by delayvariation of the network and filters out network jitter.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention,there is provided a system and method for high precision clock recoveryover a packet switched network.

A preferred method of the invention comprises the steps of:

generating packets at a local unit carrying information to a remote unitusing a local clock signal, wherein each generated packet carries atransmitted timestamp;

generating a remote timestamp at said remote unit for each of saidgenerated packets;

providing a minimum network delay estimation for filtering out networkjitter, wherein the minimum network delay estimation is defined as atime delay in which a packet remains in the packet switched networkunder assumption that all transmission queues in which the packet passesthrough are empty; and

reconstructing a received clock signal having a same frequency as thelocal clock signal based on a time difference between the transmittedtimestamp and the remote timestamp.

In accordance with another method of the present invention, the methodfurther comprises the step of building at least one high frequencyreference clock.

In accordance with another method of the present invention, the methodfurther comprises the step of providing latency estimation for detectingminimum delay values, wherein each of the minimum delay values is thetime difference between the transmitted timestamp and the remotetimestamp over a time window.

In accordance with another method of the present invention, the methodfurther comprises the step of converting each of the minimum delayvalues into a control word for obtaining an accurate received clocksignal.

In accordance with another method of the present invention, the latencydeviation estimation comprises the steps of:

-   -   obtaining an array containing 2N last minimum delay values,        wherein N is an integer number;    -   applying two linear regression procedures on the array, wherein        a first regression procedure is applied on N first minimum delay        values and a second regression procedure is applied on N last        minimum delay values; and    -   calculating middle height difference of each of the two        regression procedures;    -   detecting a latency deviation occurrence by checking whether the        middle height difference is continuously increased x times and        then continuously decreased y times, wherein x and y are        threshold values, wherein a latency deviation value is defined        as a peak value received from the two regression procedures.

In accordance with another method of the present invention, the networkjitter includes noise jitter and other “singular” anomalies causinglatency deviations.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will become apparentfrom the following drawings and description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention with regard to an embodimentthereof, reference is made to the accompanying drawing, in which likenumerals designate corresponding sections or elements throughout, and inwhich:

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a system for generating packets carryingclock information, constructed and operated in accordance with theprinciples of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a system for reconstructing a highprecision clock from packets that are transmitted within a packetswitched network, constructed and operated in accordance with theprinciples of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a minimum network delay estimation used inaccordance with a preferred method of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a latency deviation estimation procedure usedin accordance with a preferred method of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention discloses an innovative system and method for highprecision clock recovery, i.e. reconstruction of the clock having thesame frequency, over a packet switched network.

A major contributor to the delay variation of the active networkelements derives from the equipments' transmission queue. The delayvariation deriving from the transmit queues depends on the priority ofthe packet, the scheduling mechanism provided, the network andapplicable queue utilization. Hence, network utilization, size ofpackets within the network as well as their priority are most importantfactors which affect the time a packet carrying clock information spendsin the equipments' transmission queue.

The proposed method, according to the preferred embodiment, is providedfor achieving high precision clock recovery by utilizing a minimumnetwork delay approach, which overcomes the problems caused by delayvariation of the network and filters out network jitter. The clockrecovery system over packet switched networks involves two basicprocedures—generation of packets (see FIG. 1) and reconstruction of theclock signal (see FIG. 2).

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a block diagram of a system 100for generating packets carrying clock information, constructed andoperated in accordance with the principles of the preferred embodimentof the present invention.

Generation of packets is provided for carrying clock information to aremote unit in relation to a source clock at the local side. A packettransmitter 102 generates packets at an interval of N msec, where theactual interval is counted using ticks/pulses of the source clock Cs.Each generated packet carries a transmitted timestamp (Tx). Tx timestampis calculated using a high frequency reference clock Ctx at the exactmoment the packet is generated. This timestamp presents the exact timethe packet was transmitted at the local side.

One of the ways to build such a reference clock is to use an OvenControlled Crystal Oscillator (OCXO) unit 104.

In case the original source clock Cs is taken from a very stable sourceclock, such as Stratum 1 (per ANSI standard T1.101), this source clockitself can be used to build the reference clock Ctx.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a block diagram of a system 200for reconstructing a high precision clock from packets that aretransmitted within a packet switched network, constructed and operatedin accordance with the principles of the present invention.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention,system 200 comprises an Oven Controlled Crystal Oscillator (OCXO) 204.OCXO 204 is provided for creating a reference clock Crx. After Crx istransmitted to Digital Synthesizer 212, a reconstructed clock Rx isobtained for generating remote timestamp Rx at the remote side.

A frequency difference between the two OCXO units 104 and 204 creates atime difference between Rx and Tx timestamps. Due to the stability ofthe two OCXO units 104 and 204, this time difference within theregression time window is small and almost constant when applying aclock recovery regression algorithm.

At the first phase, a packet receiver 202 at the remote side receivesthe network packets carrying clock information, i.e. Tx timestamp alongwith the locally generated remote timestamp Rx. Tx and Rx timestamps arethen transmitted forward to a filter 206. Filter 206 receives thetimestamps and filters out network jitter resulting from a superpositionof the various network elements. Minimum network delay estimation (seeFIG. 3) is provided for filtering out this unwanted network jitter.

At the second phase, signals carrying filtered clock information aretransmitted to a calibration unit 208. Calibration unit 208 utilizeslatency deviation estimation (see FIG. 4) for filtering out “singular”anomalies in the network latency. This estimation is obtained bycalculating the difference between the frequency of the transmittedtimestamp Tx and remote timestamp Rx, thus detecting minimum delayvalues over each time window. The calibration procedure is a long-termregression, which is carried out over a long period of time(approximately 40 minutes), in order to receive the necessarycalibration precision.

Signals from the calibration unit 208 are then transmitted to afrequency-offset unit 210. Frequency-offset unit 210 is provided forconverting each of these minimum delay values (i.e. the calculated timedifferences between the reference clock Ctx at the local side and thereference clock Crx at the remote side) into a control word, as requiredby digital synthesizer 212. The control word is updated every 500 ms anda simple average algorithm is used to improve the frequency accuracybeyond the LSB (Low Significant Bit) value of the digital synthesizer212.

At the last phase, signals from the frequency-offset unit 210 aretransmitted to digital synthesizer 212. Digital synthesizer 212 utilizesthe control word for generation of the accurate reference clock Crx atremote side.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a minimum network delay estimation used inaccordance with a preferred method of the present invention.

Minimum network delay is defined herein as the time delay in which apacket remains in the network, under assumption that all transmissionqueues through which the packet passes are empty. The proposed minimumnetwork delay estimation determines a time delay based on constantphysical factors while minimizing the dependency on network utilizationrestrictions. Consequently, more accurate and stable results areobtained. Furthermore, taking the minimum delay as a reference within atime window significantly reduces the negative effects created from thedelay variation.

The minimum network delay estimation is provided for filtering outnetwork jitter, such as noise jitter, essential for achieving a highprecision clock recovery. Noise filtering is required for detectinglarge time deviations in the samplings. Such deviations may be a causeof a busy network, for example.

At the initial block 300, a remote unit receives arriving networkpackets carrying the packet's transmitted timestamp Tx and the remotelygenerated Rx timestamp. At block 302, a minimum delay value is provided.This value represents the time difference between Tx and Rx timestamps.

At block 304, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, a minimum delay value is calculated at an interval of 10seconds. The obtained minimum delay value is then used as input by thecalibration unit 208 (see FIG. 2) as well as the latency changeestimation (see FIG. 4).

Although the method as described above relates to minimum network delayestimation, the proposed method according to the present invention isprovided for any other method using minimum delay estimations forfiltering out network jitter and providing high precision clockrecovery.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a latency deviation estimation procedure usedin accordance with a preferred method of the present invention.

Latency deviation estimation is provided for filtering out other“singular” anomalies, which are required for handling latency deviationsand restoring calibration values that have been unintentionally changedas a result. Latency deviations may result from singular network effectsthat change a network path between two elements in the network. Suchnetwork effects include, but are not limited to, protection switch,re-routing, link upgrades, etc.

The minimum delay value obtained in FIG. 3 is transmitted to block 400.At block 402, an array containing the last 2N minimum delay values isobtained. At block 404, two regression procedures are applied on areceived array containing minimum delay values. The first regressionprocedure is applied on the first N minimum delay values, whereas thesecond regression procedure is applied on the last N minimum delayvalues.

Block 406 calculates the middle height difference of each regressionline. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the variable N equals 13. Thus, each regression proceduretakes 130 seconds. Increasing the value of N will lead to a slowerresponse time and to a more accurate latency change value.

Block 408 checks whether the middle height difference is continuouslyincreased x times and then continuously decreased y times, wherein x andy are threshold values. A latency change is detected only if more than xincreasing values and more than y decreasing values are detected. Inaccordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, thevariables x and y equal 10.

If this is not the case, the estimation procedure returns to proceedfrom block 402. However, in the affirmative case in block 410, a latencydeviation has occurred. The latency deviation value is defined as thepeak value received from the two regression procedures in block 406.

Although the method as described above relates to the latency deviationestimation procedure, the proposed method according to the presentinvention is provided for any other method of filtering out “singular”anomalies and handling latency deviations, thus obtaining high precisionclock recovery.

It can be understood that other implementations are possible within thescope of the invention, thus relating to any system and method providinghigh precision clock recovery.

Having described the invention with regard to certain specificembodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the description is notmeant as a limitation, since further modifications will now suggestthemselves to those skilled in the art, and it is intended to cover suchmodifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

1. A method for high precision clock recovery over a packet switchednetwork, said method comprising the steps of: generating packets at alocal unit carrying information to a remote unit using a local clocksignal, wherein each generated packet carries a transmitted timestamp;generating a remote timestamp at said remote unit for each saidgenerated packet; providing a minimum network delay estimation forfiltering out network jitter, wherein said minimum network delayestimation is defined as a time delay in which a packet remains in thepacket switched network, assuming that all transmission queues throughwhich said packet passes are empty; and reconstructing a received clocksignal based on a time difference between said transmitted timestamp andsaid remote timestamp.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising thestep of building at least one high frequency reference clock.
 3. Themethod of claim 1 further comprising the step of providing a latencyestimation for detecting minimum delay values, wherein each of saidminimum delay values is said time difference between said transmittedtimestamp and said remote timestamp over a time window.
 4. The method ofclaim 3 further comprising the step of converting each of said minimumdelay values into a control word for obtaining an accurate receivedclock signal.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein said latency deviationestimation comprises the steps of: obtaining an array containing 2N lastminimum delay values, wherein N is an integer number; applying twolinear regression procedures on said array, wherein a first regressionprocedure is applied on N first minimum delay values and a secondregression procedure is applied on N last minimum delay values;calculating a middle height difference of each of said two regressionprocedures; and detecting a latency deviation occurrence by checkingwhether said middle height difference is continuously increased x timesand then continuously decreased y times, wherein x and y are thresholdvalues, wherein a latency deviation value is defined as a peak valuereceived from said two regression procedures.
 6. The method of claim 1,wherein providing said minimum network delay estimation step includesnoise jitter and other “singular” anomalies causing latency deviations.7. A system for high precision clock recovery over a packet switchednetwork, said system comprising: means for generating packets at a localunit carrying information to a remote unit using a local clock signal,wherein each generated packet carries a transmitted timestamp; means forgenerating a remote timestamp at said remote unit for each saidgenerated packet; means for obtaining minimum network delay estimationfor filtering out network jitter, wherein said minimum network delayestimation is defined as a time delay in which a packet remains in thepacket switched network, assuming that all transmission queues throughwhich said packet passes are empty; and reconstructing a received clocksignal based on a time difference between said transmitted timestamp andsaid remote timestamp.
 8. The system of claim 7 further comprising atleast one high frequency reference clock.
 9. The system of claim 7further comprising means for detecting minimum delay values, whereineach of said minimum delay values is defined as a latency estimationbeing said time difference between said transmitted timestamp and saidremote timestamp over a time window.
 10. The system of claim 9 furthercomprising means for converting each of said minimum delay values into acontrol word for obtaining an accurate received clock signal.
 11. Thesystem of claim 9, wherein said means for obtaining said latencydeviation estimation operates in accordance with the steps of: obtainingan array containing 2N last minimum delay values, wherein N is aninteger number; applying two linear regression procedures on said array,wherein a first regression procedure is applied on N first minimum delayvalues and a second regression procedure is applied on N last minimumdelay values; calculating middle height difference of each of said tworegression procedures; and detecting a latency deviation occurrence bychecking whether said middle height difference is continuously increasedx times and then continuously decreased y times, wherein x and y arethreshold values, wherein a latency deviation value is defined as a peakvalue received from said two regression procedures.
 12. The system ofclaim 7, wherein said providing said minimum network delay estimationstep includes noise jitter and other “singular” anomalies causinglatency deviations.